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Jenkins has unfinished business

Date published: October 13 2015

Wales loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins intends to continue playing international rugby after the World Cup, despite turning 35 next month.

Jenkins is the most experienced player in Wales and has already competed in four Rugby World Cups. However, he still has unfinished business with the Wales national team and feels that he has the capacity to contribute to it.

"I have had a quick chat with Warren (Gatland) about going on after the World Cup," said Jenkins.

"I have no plans to quit just yet. I am just taking each game at a time, to see how that goes and I'm enjoying my rugby to see if I can carry on as long as I can."

Wales have a daunting World Cup quarter-final fixture against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday and the expectation is that Jenkins will be a critical cog in their machine.

"The belief is there," said the Wales prop.

"We were disappointed we lost on the weekend but the attention turned quickly towards the quarter-finals and making a statement this weekend.

"It's not going to be an easy task but we are really looking forward to it. Four months of hard work will all come down to Saturday and everyone is looking forward to trying to get the result," said Jenkins.

Such is the draw for the quarter-finals that four teams from the Southern Hemisphere have a distinct opportunity to secure a spot in the semi-final of the tournament. Wales are one of the Northern Hemisphere teams that have the capacity to put a spanner in the works.

"You know what is coming against South Africa," added Jenkins.

"We have watched their games and been impressed by the manner in which they bounced back after losing to Japan. They have played well in the last three games. The way they have turned things around shows how much it means to them.

"We are aware it's going to be a big challenge. We have had battles against them in the last 18 months and we know what they are about. They are quite an experienced squad and they have been around.

"They lost a few games in the Rugby Championship but they have a quality coach and key experienced players who have helped turn it around mixed with the youth coming through. They play high intensity rugby."